An \(hp\) finite element method for \(4^{\mathrm{th}}\) order singularly perturbed problems (Q329329)

This paper presents the analysis for the \(hp\)-finite element approximation of the solution of the following singularly perturbed fourth-order boundary value problem: \[ \begin{cases} \varepsilon^2 u^{(4)}(x) - (a(x)u'(x))' + b(x)u(x) = f(x), \quad x \in (0,1),\\ u(0) = u'(0) = u'(1) = u(1) = 0, \end{cases} \] where \(0 \leq \varepsilon \ll 1\) is a small parameter. A balanced norm is used in this analysis. Here the authors sharpen the results showing that the same \(hp\)-finite element method on the spectral boundary layer mesh gives robust exponential convergence in a stronger, more balanced norm. Further, they show also the robust exponential convergence in the maximum norm. Numerical experiments are carried out to support the theoretical findings.